Presbyterian Church in Ireland - Mission Overseas - PL2009-33, 19-Aug-09

• About Us
• Contact Us
• Resources
• FAQs
• Useful Links

• Home
• Countries
• People
• Partners
• Get Involved
• Opportunities
• Projects
• News
• Blogs

PL2009-33, 19-Aug-09

The 'Day' and 'Country' designations below refer to the respective right-hand page(s) in the 2009 edition of the Points for Prayer Handbook, which contains useful background information to these prayer requests.

Click on these links for further information on Countries, Partners and People.

Day 2 – BRAZIL

Naomi Keefe is still in the process of obtaining a permanent visa. 

• Pray that Naomi may soon be granted the visa she needs. 
  

Day 8 – ROMANIA

The Board of Caleb House met yesterday (18th) and almost unanimously voted in favour of the appointment of one of the candidates as the new houseparent/co-ordinator.  Andrea Melzer is 29, a qualified social worker, and has experience in Christian youth work, in both Romania and Hungary.  She will officially begin work at Caleb House on 1st September.  Although Andrea will probably find the first few months challenging, Darren and Nicola Aitcheson are confident that she will show a strong Christian witness to the young people and will settle into the role quickly.

Give thanks for -

• The appointment of Andrea to this role and the unity which was shown by the Board in reaching the decision to appoint her.
  
  
• The fact that solid plans can now be made for the future of the work in Caleb House.
  
  
• All those who prayed for a successful outcome to the appointment process, and for God's goodness in providing exactly the right candidate for the job.

Pray for –

• Andrea as she prepares to move into Caleb House and begin her work there, that she will have strength and courage to take on the challenges of this new environment.
  
  
• The young people, as they have to cope with yet more change.
  
  
• Darren and Nicola, as they move out of Caleb House and prepare for their last few weeks of service in Cluj.
  
  
• The Board of Caleb House, that the unity shown in yesterday's meeting will continue and that the work will go from strength to strength.
  

Day 9 – MIDDLE EAST

SAT-7 is a Christian satellite television service reaching into the Middle East and North Africa.  This is a vital ministry, encouraging Christians who are isolated, while also bringing the gospel message to the myriad of people living in this part of the world.

Prayer Points –

• That God will guide the pastors and priests who broadcast each week and inspire them to write sermons that will be a blessing to all SAT-7’s viewers.
  
  
• For churches to be planted in areas that currently have no churches.
  
  
• That the Lord will help the SAT-7 PARS producers create a programme that will be effective in helping Iranian women understand Biblical principles that will help them overcome life’s challenges.
  
  
• That children watching Soko and his behaviour will gain foundational lessons that will help them be model students and walk with the Lord for their entire lives.
  

Day 10 – SUDAN

At the close of its 17th General Assembly in Khartoum, the Sudan Council of Churches (including the Presbyterian Church of Sudan), appealed to the signatories of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005, the SPLM and the NCP, to seriously and urgently work to resolve their differences.  The Sudan Council of Churches have also appealed for the return of UN Military forces to Pibor and Akobo in an effort to stem the tribal violence and, in coordination with church leaders, seek out Jikany Nuer leaders and urge them to allow relief barges to pass so that the horrible humanitarian situation in Akobo can be relieved.

Prayer Points –

• For the security situation in Jonglei, where in recent weeks there have been additional inter-ethnic clashes resulting in over 100 deaths. 
  
  
• That the UN will re-establish military bases in Pibor and Akobo.
  
  
• For RECONCILE staff who are in that area facilitating much needed peacemaking training.
  
  
• That all who are able to, will respond to the urgent appeal of the Sudan Council of Churches.
  

Days 12 to 14 – KENYA

The Senior Youth Camp in Tuum [see SAAP] ends tomorrow (20th).  Some young people from the village of Arsim came – the first time anyone from this village had attended the camps.  The team from Magheramason and other congregations who have been helping to lead the camps, leave Tuum this Friday (21st) and will visit the Samburu reserve, before travelling back home.  Several young people committed their lives to Christ, last night. 

Prayer Points –

• Give thanks for the young people who have given their lives to Christ.  Pray that many more will respond to the gospel before the camps end. 
  
  
• For a good time of reflection, as the Holy Spirit works in individuals’ lives.
  
  
• For continued safety for all those involved in the camps, especially as they travel back to their homes.
  

Days 16 to 19 – MALAWI

Una Brownlie is working for two weeks at Tcharo Health Centre, one of the clinics linked to the David Gordon Memorial Hospital (DGMH), where she is normally based.  Tcharo Health Centre is a very isolated clinic where there are no roads, no running water and no communication links.  She plans to be there until 3rd September. 

Prayer Points –

• That Una will cope well at the clinic and be an encouragement to the staff there.
  
  
• Continue to pray for the work and witness of DGMH and especially for the management as they plan and work with limited resources.  It is always a challenge to maintain the flow of essential supplies, especially drugs.
  
  
• Give thanks for the amazing gift from people in Scotland - a wonderful new marine ambulance for DGMH’s lakeshore clinics, where there are no roads.  This new boat was launched on Wednesday in Mlowe.  It will service the communities along the lakeshore bringing essential supplies, transferring ill patients to the hospital, etc.
  
  
• One of the DGMH nursing staff lost his five year old son in very difficult circumstances two weeks ago.  Remember him as he returns to work and tries to cope with this tragic loss.
  

Day 24 – NEPAL

Grenville Hopkinson is very busy at present in his role as UMN’s Strategy and Policy Director.  Grenville and Georgie are also looking for a new home in Kathmandu, having suffered two break-ins in the past few months.

Prayer Points –

• For the development of UMNs future strategy and for Grenville’s role in this.
  
  
• That the Hopkinsons soon find a suitable house to rent - a place where they will feel safe and secure and that will have space for the children to play and have friends to visit and stay.

Last weekend’s teaching sessions on Forgiveness and Reconciliation, which Joe Campbell was involved in, at Kathmandu Baptist Church went really well.  Almost 50 people attended the two-day event and several people testified to God's Spirit bringing conviction, support, forgiveness and help.

Some 11 new expatriate staff along with four children have joined UMN in the past few months.  They are from four different countries.  Janet Campbell, as expatriate support worker, will be spending time with them helping them settle into their new surroundings.

On Thursday this week, Joe Campbell will travel to Doti in the far west of the country to run a seminar for both UMN staff and a partner organisation.

In September, Joe will be accompanying a group of senior Nepali politicians and civil servants on an official visit to Ireland.  The four politicians from different parties will include the Minister of Peace and Reconstruction.  They will meet political leaders in both Dublin and Belfast.

Prayer Points –

• Give thanks for the workshop last weekend in Kathmandu and pray for this and other congregations as they use the recently produced DVD and discussion material to further the teaching on Forgiveness and Reconciliation to youth, church leadership and woman's groups.
  
  
• Give thanks for new staff joining UMN and pray they will quickly settle into the new culture and know a real sense of God's presence with them.
  
  
• For UMN staff travelling to various work locations.  Travelling is always a challenge in Nepal, but this is made even more difficult at this time of the year due to monsoon rains.  Pray also for staff who live in remote locations, often cut off by landslides and road closures; and who have to endure electricity cuts, often lasting many days.
  
  
• That the many arrangements which still need to be made for the political visit to Ireland will fall into place.  Pray also for a spirit of co-operation among the group from different parties.
  

Day 26 – MISSION INVOLVEMENT

Final preparations are being made for the launch on 1st September of the Board of Mission Overseas’ (BMO) new web site.  Its primary purpose is to be a place where members of our church can find out about the nature and scope of our involvement in Mission Overseas; a key resource that will help enthuse, envision and equip individuals of all ages, as well as groups, congregations and presbyteries, for active engagement in God's mission to the world.  There’s still a lot of work to be done, and not a lot of time in which to do it, with ‘Go Live’ less than two weeks away!

Prayer Points –

• For Nigel Eves, who is leading the project, and everyone working with him to complete the task; whether copywriting, uploading information to the site, tweaking the programming, or testing for errors.  Pray for the strength needed and for wisdom too, as decisions are made on what can, or cannot, be ‘finished’ in time for the launch.
  
  
• That the new web site will indeed fulfil its purpose and become a really useful resource for our members, wherever they are.  Pray that enthusiasts will quickly ‘spread the word’, encouraging others to ‘take a look’ and become regular visitors to the site.
  
  
• For wisdom and guidance as plans are made to very soon implement Phase II Developments, which are aimed at further enhancing the usefulness of the web site.
  

Days 27 to 29 – INDONESIA

Mervyn and Raing McCullagh are back in Sumba for a few weeks, for the funeral of Raing’s father who died in April 2008.  In Sumbanese culture things are done very differently from what we are used to in the West, with burials taking place quite some time after the person dies.

Tomorrow (Thursday 20th), there is a meeting of clan leaders to make the final preparations for the funeral of Raing’s father who was King of East Sumba.  One key issue for discussion is how the funeral can be organised in a way that is truly Christian and yet true to the traditions of the East Sumba.  Historically this has been a contentious issue, yet finding a way for the gospel to be translated into the local culture is vital.  If an acceptable solution is reached tomorrow, then that may serve as a model for future liturgies.  The funeral will take place on Saturday 29th August and it is anticipated that over 10,000 people will attend.

Prayer Points –

• That both traditional and church leaders will speak in a spirit of openness and understanding; and agree on a ceremony which is uniquely Sumbanese while glorifying God in every way.
  
  
• For Raing's family as they prepare for the funeral and that they may find space to grieve in the midst of such busyness.
  
  
• That all would know God's presence in the coming days.

Barry McCroskery requests prayer for a Training of Trainers event for GMIT ministers in the Kupang area.  The event will take place over several days beginning on Monday 24th August and the aim is to refresh serving ministers and equip them to train their elders and congregations in various aspects of ministry.  Barry will be taking part in this event for the first time and will be leading a session on pastoral care for the sick and bereaved.

Prayer Points –

• That God will guide Barry and all those taking part in the preparing and presenting of material.
  
  
• That those attending will be encouraged to pass on what they learn to their congregations.
  

OVERSEAS TEAMS

A number of teams are overseas over the next week. We would encourage you to remember them in prayer.

MALAWI– A team of 11 people from First Magherafelt led by Maureen Stevenson leave for Malawion Monday (24th) where they will be involved in practical work, children's work and medical work for two weeks at DGMH. 

UKRAINE – A team of 13 adults from the PCI congregations of First Islandmagee, Ballyclare, First Larne, Second Islandmagee, Whitehead and Woodlands, and Ballyclabber Reformed Presbyterian, leaves tomorrow 13th August.  They will be helping to run a two week Summer Camp at Nagybereg School in the Transcarpathia region of Ukraine, teaching English to 14 - 18 year olds.  The team is due back on 27th August. 

Prayer Points for these teams –

• Good health, safety, strength and energy for all the team members and those they are working with.
  
  
• The work that each of the teams will be involved in.
  
  
• For the Word of God to be explained clearly and for spiritual fruit in the lives of those the teams are going to help or work alongside.
  

Designed by hamillBosket